By NICOLE WILLIAMS
Heartfelt thanks as the heart of Harkaway moves on…
FOR 13 years and one week, Luke Boschert has kept the heart of Harkaway beating – but who’s counting.
The owner of the Harkaway Post Office and General Store will soon wave farewell to the store and town he has called home for more than 13 years.
“My body is saying it needs to catch up on sleep and recharge the batteries,” he said.
“The plan is to have no plan.”
Mr Boschert bought the business in Harkaway to see a dream of owning his own business come true.
Since then, he has left his mark on those in the town and is thought to be the longest operator of the business.
“It has always been a bit of a dream to have your own business,” he said.
“The opportunity came along and I thought it was a good business with a diversity of function so I would give it a shot – I didn’t think I would be here for 13 years.”
The friendly community, and ideal location, has kept Mr Boschert in the ‘semi-rural town’ for so long.
“The attractiveness of a community business is that they fully support you and you can have a laugh with the customers,” he said.
“It feels like an extended family in some sense. It is a fantastic community in which to have a small business.”
Harkaway resident Bill Peeler said Mr Boschert had served the community well.
“It is the centre of the community at any time and particularly in time of emergency,” he said.
“The store is not just the physical centre of the community. Luke is terrific and tackled the job with immense devotion.”
The Black Saturday bushfires left a lasting impression on Mr Boschert.
“Black Saturday was such a significant event on the community and I don’t think we fully realised how close things came to being devastating for Harkaway,” he said.
“A chill goes down my spine even now.”
Although some could say the post office and general store is the heart of the Harkaway community, Mr Boschert also made sure to lend his hand elsewhere.
He has been on the Hall Committee for six years, including holding the position of bookings secretary, and also been involved in CFA meetings each year.
“Being able to attend and show support, it is a two way street,” he said.
“Whatever I can do, or did, comes back to community support.”
Mr Boschert said even though he is moving out of town and ‘seeing where the wind blows him’ Harkaway will always hold a special place in his heart.
“The fact that I have been here for such a long period of time, you build up a lot of friendships.
“There is a sense of remorse and regret that I am moving but that doesn’t mean I won’t come back and say hello,” he said.
“I want to say a truly heartfelt thanks to the whole community of Harkaway.”
